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Posted on: March 11, 2016

Freeport Gang Member Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Selling Heroin and Dog Fighting Offenses

Shaheem Allen barred from being near any animal until 2031 MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced that a Freeport gang member, who was arrested last March as part of a major narcotics and dog fighting ring, was sentenced yesterday to six years in prison. Shaheem Allen, 24, pleaded guilty before Acting Supreme Court Justice Terence Murphy on January 26 to charges from three separate indictments. The defendant pleaded guilty to Attempted Assault in the 1st Degree (a C violent felony) and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree (a C violent felony) in one case related to an August 2014 shooting. He was sentenced to six years in prison on both counts, to run concurrently, and five years of post-release supervision in that case. The defendant also pleaded guilty to Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 2nd Degree (an A-II felony) and Conspiracy in the 2nd Degree (a B felony) for his role in a major narcotics ring. He was sentenced to six years in prison and five years of post-release supervision on the first count and two to six years in prison, to run concurrently, on the second count. Allen pleaded guilty to Prohibition of Animal Fighting (an E felony) and Conspiracy in the 5th Degree (an A misdemeanor) for his role in a dogfighting ring. The defendant was sentenced to 1-1/3 to 4 years in prison on the first charge and one year in prison on the conspiracy charge, with the sentences to run concurrently. Allen was also served with a stay away order of protection prohibiting him from being near animals until March 10, 2031. All of the sentences for the three cases will run concurrently. “This defendant poisoned our communities by selling heroin and narcotics for several months,” DA Singas said. “Across his various violent criminal enterprises, Shaheem Allen preyed upon both addicts and defenseless animals to enrich himself. Like all who would engage in illegal trafficking and dogfighting in this county, he is now spending the next several years in prison.” DA Singas said that on August 12, 2014, Allen, a Bloods gang member, fired a loaded handgun at a rival gang member in retaliation for a previous shooting. He was subsequently arrested by the Nassau County Police Department and was released on bail in that case in December 2014. The defendant, while out on bail for the offense, dealt drugs – including heroin, heroin laced with fentanyl and other controlled substances – in the Freeport and Roosevelt areas. Between March 29 and May 13, 2015, the defendant also engaged in the breeding and training of pit bull dogs for dog fighting purposes. Starting in January 2015, the Nassau County Police Department Major Case Bureau and Narcotics Vice Squad, in conjunction with the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office Narcotics Gang Unit, initiated an extensive investigation into fentanyl-laced heroin in Nassau County. During this investigation it was determined that a number of subjects may have engaged in dog fighting operations, including the fighting, breeding and training of pit bulls. On May 13, 2015, the Narcotics Vice Squad of the Major Case Bureau, Bureau of Special Operations, the District Attorney’s Squad and Investigators, Emergency Services Unit and The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals executed search warrants in the Roosevelt area and the Incorporated Village of Freeport which resulted in the arrests of 15 reputed gang members, including Allen. Three of those defendants have already been sentenced, while the remaining cases are still pending. Deputy Bureau Chief Christiana McSloy and Assistant District Attorney Michael Maffei of DA Singas’ Special Operations, Narcotics and Gangs Bureau, are prosecuting the cases. Allen is represented by Dana Grossblatt, Esq.